Super Eagles suffered a surprising 2-1 home loss to Rwanda in their final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The defeat marked Rwanda’s first-ever victory over Nigeria, a team with three AFCON titles to its name.
Samuel Chukwueze opened the scoring for Nigeria, but Rwanda turned the game on its head with two quickfire goals in three minutes, sealing an unforgettable win over the home side.
Coach Augustine Eguavoen made bold changes to the starting lineup, opting for seven adjustments from the side that earned a 1-1 draw with Benin Republic just days earlier in Abidjan.
The likes of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Ola Aina, and Wilfred Ndidi were left on the bench, making way for Victor Boniface, Moses Simon, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Raphael Onyedikachi to step into the starting eleven.
However, the changes appeared to disrupt the team’s rhythm, particularly in the first half.
The Super Eagles struggled to find their footing early on, with only Alhassan Yusuf displaying any real spark.
Kelechi Iheanacho came closest to breaking the deadlock with a golden opportunity, but the Rwandan goalkeeper showcased his reflexes to deny the Sevilla forward. Frustration mounted as the referee blew for halftime, with the home crowd expecting much more from their team.
Clearly displeased with the performance, Eguavoen introduced Samuel Chukwueze at the start of the second half, replacing Iheanacho.
The substitution almost paid off immediately when Boniface’s header from a Moses Simon corner was spectacularly saved by Rwanda’s alert goalkeeper.
Chukwueze, however, brought the stadium to life with a moment of individual brilliance around the 60th minute.
Picking up the ball, the AC Milan winger embarked on a dazzling run, weaving past three defenders before unleashing a thunderous strike into the net. It was a trademark goal from Chukwueze, marking his sixth international strike and his first since Nigeria’s emphatic 6-0 victory over Sao Tome and Principe in October 2023.
But the joy was short-lived. Rwanda responded decisively just 12 minutes later when Emmanuel Mutsinzi rose unmarked to power home a header, punishing the Nigerian defence for their lapse in concentration.
Before the Super Eagles could regroup, the Amavubi stunned the hosts again. A swift counterattack caught the Nigerian backline napping, with Nshuti latching onto a precise cross from the left to slot home the winner.
Eguavoen threw on Victor Osimhen and Umar Sadiq in a desperate bid to salvage the game, but their introduction failed to inspire a comeback.
The Super Eagles’ struggles in front of goal persisted, leaving fans and players alike disappointed.
Despite Rwanda’s historic victory, it wasn’t enough to secure them a ticket to the AFCON tournament in Morocco.
Nigeria, having already qualified, will be joined by Benin Republic, who played out a goalless draw with Libya to seal their spot.
The loss serves as a wake-up call for the Super Eagles as they prepare for a crucial World Cup qualifying clash against Rwanda in Kigali next March.
